NEW - The Great Northern Adventure
Stand at the tip of Cape York and cruise to PNG and the Solomon Islands in one holiday
We’ve combined a 4-wheel-drive wilderness tour to the tip of Cape York with an ocean cruise from Cairns to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to create a new and unique, 22-night adventure in September, 2017. Explore the Daintree rainforest and stand at the top of Australia before sailing from Cairns to idyllic and rarely visited tropical islands in Papua New Guinea where traditional cultures remains intact. If you need a bit more adventure in your life:
Did you know?
Your ocean cruise to PNG visits the volcano-fringed town of Rabaul which has again risen from the ashes after being destroyed by volcanic eruptions in 1937 and 1994 and flattened by aerial bombing in World War II.
Our experienced team constantly search for great offers, interesting destinations and inspiring itineraries. Here is a selection of this month's cruise ideas.
NEW - Maiden Half World Cruise
Be amongst the first to sail aboard Princess Cruises’ latest ship, the 3600-guest Majestic Princess, in May, 2017, just a month after her launch. This exciting, new-look ship will take you on an epic voyage from Rome to Shanghai via 19 ports in 14 countries such as Jordan, India, Japan and Korea. Our deluxe, 55-night package, including flights, accommodation and private car transfers, will indeed be majestic. For details,
Last Chance for Christmas Cruises
Including Buy One Get One Free offer
Christmas can be hectic so why not spend it at sea this year. There’s no cooking, cleaning, rushing or shopping centre dashes on these cruises. Instead, you’ll enjoy a ship decked from bow to stern with festive flair and yuletide merriment while you sail to the South Pacific, Asia, and New Zealand or along the Queensland coast. We have a choice of 21 ships sailing from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Fremantle and Auckland. Bring the kids - and their kids if you’re a grandparent - for a truly joyous Christmas experience you’ll always cherish. Cabins are booking fast so get on your sleigh and book today.
And if you want to find out what a Christmas cruise is really like,
NEW - Golden Circle Pacific
Save up to $3,000 per person!
Next May, step aboard the beautiful Golden Princess on a spectacular 75 night excursion around the South Pacific. Sailing on 19 May, 2017, from Sydney, this spectacular cruise visits Papua New Guinea, Asia, Alaska, the United States, Hawaii and Tahiti - 27 ports in all - including overnights in Vancouver, San Francisco and Papeete. For a limited time you can book this cruise and enjoy massive savings on Oceanview and above cabins. To find out more,
Elvis and the Mississippi
If you love Elvis, jazz or country music - or all three - join this guided, 17-day cruise tour exploration of America’s South in May, 2017. Visit Graceland, the iconic music centres of Memphis, Nashville and New Orleans and cruise the mighty Mississippi aboard the replica paddle steamer, American Queen. The inclusions are extensive but to see how low the fares are:
Did you know?
Attracting over 600,000 visitors a year, Graceland is the second most visited house in the US after the White House. Elvis’ home was named after Grace Toof - the aunt of the original owner.
Wind in Your Hair
As graceful as a swan, the 4-masted Star Clipper rekindles the romantic era of sailing ships while pampering passengers with modern-day luxury. Feel the wind in your hair as you sail to some of Asia’s most exquisite beaches, islands and bays including Phang Nga Bay, famous for its striking, limestone rocks rising sheer from the emerald waters. Even James Bond once paid a visit! Our 13-day fly/cruise package next April is priced from under $5000. For details,
Live the High Life @ 2017 Monaco Grand Prix
Indulge in the glamorous yachting lifestyle aboard one of the world’s largest sailing ships, the 310-guest Wind Surf, as you head to the world’s most famous car race, the Monaco Grand Prix. Enroute, you’ll cruise along the glittering Italian and French Rivieras, exploring exclusive boutiques and enjoying a little people-watching on beachside promenades. You’ll have grandstand seats at the race through the streets of Monte Carlo and a bonus 3 nights in Rome before the cruise. The only thing not glamorous about our 12-night package in May, 2017, are our value-packed fares:
Did you know?
Racers change gears an average of 54 times on each of the 3.3km laps of Monte Carlo or 4200 times during the whole 260km race. Monaco is the world’s second smallest country after Vatican City.
Morcoccan Odyssey
Looking for something a little different? Specialising in historic and cultural cruises, Voyages to Antiquity offers small ship journeys that give you more time to immerse yourself in smaller, more intriguing ports bigger ships can’t reach. Our new 30-night package centres on a fascinating, 22-night exploration of Morocco, the Atlantic Islands and the Mediterranean in April, 2017, and includes up to 19 free shore tours. There’s even an exciting, overnight trip to the fabled cities of Marrakesh and Casablanca during the voyage. To see all the amazing experiences this special journey offers,
NEW - Have You Cruised the White Sea?
Free shore tours, beverages or spending money
This special, small ship voyage next June will take you from London to 11 countries in northern Europe which sparkle under the midnight sun. Aboard the 680-guest Nautica, you’ll sail to the spectacular fjords of Norway all the way to North Cape and beyond to the rarely visited White Sea and the remote, far northern reaches of Russia. There’s also the offer of complimentary shore tours or beverages or a generous onboard credit. If you’re seeking new horizons to explore,
For more on any of the ships featured below, call us on 1300 766 537 or 1300 676 926 (Central Coast NSW)
Cruise Review - Carnival Spirit
Our own fun ship
She’s a common sight in Australian waters but what is a cruise aboard locally-based Carnival Spirit really like? Recently Natalie from our NSW Central Coast office cruised the South Pacific to find out. To read her review and see onboard pictures,
Biggest Cruise Season Ever
Australian ports will be busier than ever this year with a record 41 cruise ships sailing in local waters from now to next April. Between them, the ships will make almost 900 calls to ports right around Australia, including Wollongong’s debut as a cruise port later this month (October 30) with a visit by Radiance of the Seas. More than half the ships (23) will offer return cruises from local ports, offering Australians an unprecedented 400 roundtrip itineraries - a 20 per cent rise on last summer’s offerings. To search for a cruise,
Did you know?
Of the 41 cruise ships sailing in Australian waters this summer, eight are making maiden visits Down Under including the biggest ship to ever sail here, the 167,600-ton Ovation of the Seas, which is the world’s sixth largest cruise ship. Other first time visitors are Maasdam, Emerald Princess, Azamara Journey, Norwegian Star, Europa 2, Sirena and also the brand new Seabourn Encore, which will arrive in Australia just two weeks after her launch in Singapore.
New look Solstice
One of the ships based in Australia this summer is the luxurious and popular Celebrity Solstice which will soon prove even more alluring after she emerges from an $11 million makeover in Singapore at the end of this month. The new-look Solstice will boast an outdoor cinema, Lawn Club cabanas, Japanese sushi restaurant and a digital photo gallery. To search for local cruises aboard Celebrity Solstice,
The Princess and the Sea Witch
Just in time for Halloween on October 31, Royal Princess has emerged from a dry dock service in Italy flaunting Princess Cruises’ brand new livery on its hull. A design of the line’s famous, long-haired ‘sea witch’ logo sweeps back along the hull. The new look will progressively appear on the line’s other ships.
Jewel in the Crown
This time next year, another new entrant in our growing cruise industry, the 2400-guest Norwegian Jewel, will arrive here for a maiden season of 15 sailings through the Pacific, southern Australia and Asia. To try a new style of cruising,
New Ports for NSW
Gone are the days when Sydney was the only cruise port NSW had to offer. Wharf facilities are being upgraded at both Newcastle on the North Coast and Eden on the South Coast to meet growing cruise ship demand, with completion dates in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Wollongong is also hosting its first cruise ship this month.
Regent Seven Seas Cuisine gets Even More Special
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is transforming its signature restaurant, Compass Rose, into the largest specialty restaurant at sea. The new concept and menu will offer an “unprecedented, fully customised, epicurean experience with an unequalled variety of gourmet options available nightly” the line says. Hosting hundreds of guests, the complimentary restaurant will allow diners to select from over a dozen meat, fish and seafood items and have it prepared to taste and garnished with a sauce of choice. The new culinary offering will first debut on the line’s luxurious Seven Seas Voyager next May.
Faster cruise ship ferry service in Sydney
Ferry times from Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Ship Terminal to the city will more than halve from 25 minutes to just 10 minutes with the service to operate from King St Wharf instead of Circular Quay from November 4, 2016. Cruise passengers can walk from Wynyard Station to the King St ferry wharf in just 6 minutes using the new and direct Wynyard Walk underground route. Ferries will run to White Bay and vice versa every 20 minutes on all days ships are berthed at White Bay. Ferry tickets are $9 per person each way.
Our luxury Escorted Voyages are exclusive group tours where our experienced Tour Managers host you and take care of all the details. Travel with complete peace of mind and make friends with like-minded travellers along the way.
Mediterranean Magic
Save $1000 per couple - Book by October 31
Two nights in Rome pave the way for a 10-night journey through the Mediterranean in April, 2017, with Celebrity Cruises. Add on a hosted, overland tour through France the chance to stay in three fairytale French castles. Just magic!
Treasures of the Orient and China
Free drinks offer
Book an ocean-view cabin or above on our Escorted Voyage through Asia with Celebrity Cruises in February, 2017, and receive a complimentary ‘Classic Beverage’ drinks package. Our great-value package has it all - the Great Wall of China, the ancient Terracotta Warriors, a journey down the Yangtze River through the mysterious Three Gorges plus Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
The Rivers of Europe
Join us next April for an 8-day guided tour of France in April, 2017, including the beautiful, chateaux-filled Loire Valley, a moving Anzac Day service at Villers-Bretonneux and overnight stays in 3 elegant mansions. Then choose from two deluxe river cruises from Paris - to the beaches of Normandy with Scenic or through the heart of Europe to Budapest with Avalon Waterways. For details,
~ Tours may be escorted by Cruise Express or locally hosted, depending on final group numbers.
The Cruise Express crew
Every month we profile an expert from our team so you can get to know them a little better! This month we catch up with Travel Specialist, Grant Blake.
Grant joined the team in March, 2012, but has spent much of his life in the travel industry, working as a tour leader with Contiki in his younger years. Today, Grant says he’s motivated by his clients’ enjoyment. “Hearing that a client had a great holiday really gives me a buzz,” says Grant. “My aim is to really look after people and their holidays which mean so much to them. I treat clients like I would like to be treated myself. My job is to help people fulfil their dreams.”
We asked Grant his:
Favourite country to visit? France
Favourite cruises? For me, an Alaskan cruise is just perfect. It’s got everything and it’s very affordable.
Favourite ship? Celebrity Solstice, based in Australia every summer. Ideal combination of contemporary styling and great service.
Cruise Tips - Take a Weight Off Your Mind
Have you ever suffered anxiety at the airport, not sure how heavy your bag is and afraid you’ll be hit with hefty, excess baggage fees? Consider purchasing a suitcase with a built-in weight scale so you’ll know exactly how much your luggage weighs before you leave home and if you can throw in that extra pair of shoes or jacket!
Duck at Sea
After a busy year on the road, our frequent-flying Cruise Express mascot, Duck, flocked back to Sydney last week and ducked down to the harbour at the quack of dawn to be sure he didn’t miss our annual Client Celebration. Duck waddled onboard our harbour vessel and, thankfully, didn’t ruffle any feathers as he sipped his favourite wine and caught up with clients he had met on tour through the year. After all, socialising for our travel-savvy ambassador is now water off a duck’s back, as you can see in the pictures below. With drinks covered for the event there was no bill for our friend - just more happy memories under his wing! And after all the festivities, he was out for a duck! End of puns!!
Our thirsty Duck joins Cruise Express staff Richard, Rebecca and Pam (above left) and client, Elva Pankhurst, just loves Duck (above right)
Remember When?
ss Corfu
The ss Corfu was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons in Glasgow and launched for the P&O line in 1931. One of a pair of similar ships, the Corfu sported P&O's traditional black hull and stone coloured superstructure, with two black funnels. Together with her sister ss Carthage, she was employed on the London, Southampton, Port Said, Aden, Bombay, Colombo, Penang, Singapore and Hong Kong service. Before WW2 Corfu also made occasional calls at Australian ports. In 1939 she was requisitioned by the British Navy and was hastily converted to an armed merchant cruiser at Belfast. At the start of the war she operated primarily on the Atlantic, however after a collision with HMS Hermes, and repairs in Freetown and Calcutta, she saw service on the Indian Ocean. From 1944 the ship was converted at Mobile, Alabama, for use as a troopship, a service she performed until 1947, when she was handed back to her owners. Thoroughly rebuilt by her original builders, the ship was now painted white, with her profile somewhat altered by the removal of her aft funnel and extension of her forward one. Returning to the far east service that she was built for, she and her sister Carthage, and the similar Canton maintained this service until falling passenger numbers caused their withdrawal. Sold to breakers, the ship was demolished at Osaka in 1961.
Above left, ss Corfu seen at Aden in 1960, and above right, deck games
Wake View - What our clients say
“A big thank-you for once again organising an awesome day for us all on beautiful Sydney Harbour on October 9. The Cruise Express team never fails to organise wonderful reunions each year and it is always our pleasure to catch up with friends we have met on past cruises. Cruise Express is to be congratulated for making these reunions such a success and such a very enjoyable day for everyone.”
Pat, Caringbah, NSW, who joined our Client Celebration in Sydney
“Many thanks to Cruise Express for the ‘Midnight Sun’ cruise tour to Norway we enjoyed in August and September. A trip like this is difficult to organise yourself so we appreciated all the many inclusions. It was nothing short of brilliant. We were fortunate to have had Warren as our fantastic Tour Manager and we also liked the small group format of the trip. It was easy to get to know everyone. We would also like to thank Grant for the wonderful booking arrangements he made with us before the trip.”
Maureen and Michael, Wollongong, NSW
Mike and Maureen seen above left at North Cape, and above right in front of ms Midnatsol in Norway
“The ‘Very Royal Affair’ cruise tour I joined in August and September was absolutely fantastic – really brilliant. We were piped aboard the Royal Scotsman train and the Hebridean Princess ship. Thanks to Aaron for looking after our booking details so well too. I have been on lots of trips with Cruise Express because everything is so organised and everyone so friendly and obliging. I’ll be joining a Cruise Express trip to Norway in February and again in April for the wine cruise tour to New Zealand.”
Jeanette, Beacon Hill, NSW
Life is short – Live – Love – Travel
Supplied by Cruise Express Director, Hardy Schneider
DISCLAIMER: *All fares quoted herewith are subject to change without notice and availability at the time of booking. Cruise Express reserves the right to make changes to any details outlined in this email, without notice.
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